Lily Brown, director at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, notes that many of her patients experience an influx of worry and anxiety at night, stating, "It's all too common to spiral into worry and rumination once the sun goes down." This highlights how exhaustion can ironically amplify anxiety, creating a cycle that often leads to sleeplessness and worsened mental health.
Rebecca Cox, co-author of a recent Psychiatry Research study, explains how our internal biological clock fluctuates throughout the day, affecting our mood. She states, "The longer you're awake, the more your body wants to sleep... those signals drop off at night. If you're awake as they drop and sleep pressure builds, cognitive function often suffers, making it harder for your brain to regulate emotions."
Recent research indicates a pattern where general anxiety tends to peak several times during the day, notably at 8 a.m., 4 p.m., and 1 a.m. According to a 2022 study, anxiety symptoms significantly worsen at night, linked to a rise in risks like suicidal behavior and substance misuse. These findings underscore the need to address anxiety management, particularly in the evening.
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